Lake Skegemog Annual - snakes on the boat and a rock bass festival

The second weekend of June arrived faster than you say 'marmalade' and with that, the usual pack of 15-20 dudes, the majority now AARP eligible, converged upon Lake Skegemog for our version of an annual policy conference. The difference between this and the government's version is this group can solve all the world's issues. Granted, the ideas seem to come up during afternoon happy hour along the lake shore with a few libations in the group...

As far as the fishing, it was an odd one and I'm not talking about the snake that came aboard the boat I was in Friday evening (more on that in a second). The conditions were ideal as there wasn't a cloud to be seen Friday and Saturday and no mayfly evidence (they sometimes hatch during this time). The jumbo bass that showed themselves in endless numbers in previous years were a chore to get this year. If you wanted rock bass, however, you were in luck. Everyone was catching so many of those that a separate 'biggest rock bass' pot was collected for the Saturday evening fish with Dan H. taking the win there. As far as the snake, it was just a baby and hopefully not carrying any deadly venom as he snapped at me while I flipped him overboard (picture below).

Angler of the weekend went to the individual that chief policy maker (fishing tournament rule maker) Roger harps on the most for not being able to fish; Mitchell.  Roger even wrote a song titled "Mitchell sucks at fishing" which all joking aside is a pretty good song with great lyrics throughout. But this was Mitch's weekend as he found enough jumbos to take the prize going away.   

A great time and group as always. Thanks to homeowner Judy C. for putting up with this pack once again. The house is the bomb.

Trail Head

 

  

  

No-Mo kayak tournament - goose egg

Attached is my big fish for yesterday's 10th annual No-Mo Kayak Fishing Tournament for charity. My arm is still hurting from trying to bring the lunker aboard my vessel. It was a good 30 minute fight with other boaters cheering me on, and then...I woke up from a dream. Yep, no trophies to report. I did lose a beast but as they say, 'almost' is only good in horseshoes and hand grenades (never understand the hand grenade portion of that saying). 

It was not to be yesterday but a bad day fishing is not a bad day at all.

Trail Head

Insomniac Theater - test pattern might be better

Queuing the Way Back Machine today to when television would sign off for the day with either the Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful or some national pride song followed by....the test pattern. I'm not sure if Canada followed the same with O Canada and no idea for outside of North America; maybe a splash of tribal head shrinkage followed by some Buddha worshiping.

These long holiday weekends get the sleeping patterns out of whack a bit and with that, I almost wish for the days of a test pattern as the other night/morning I enjoyed infomercials on the Wonder Bible and 'FREE' Miracle Spring Water. For the former, it's not just a regular bible, it's a wonder bible complete with an audio player (as nobody can read anymore), a charging cable, 10+ meditation tracks (Isn't meditation supposed to be silence so why the need for multiple tracks?) and an optional 2nd set in case the first didn't heal you enough. A 30-day money back guarantee is thrown in if you're not healed by then.  

For the latter, you have the world at 'free' and 'miracle' so sign me up. I'm sure my tap water is blessed as well so I'll continue paying for it thank you. 

One of the initial signs of knowing my Dad had some issues upstairs as he was the one who would be calling for the wonder bible or the miracle water. His 'priceless' JFK coin collection was going to pay off some day he thought along with the other 'get rich' offers even though he had more money than one individual needed to survive.      

So to my friends, if you see me talking the virtues of some special water, take me in please.

Trail Head

complete with a listening mat

calculator included with the player for more donations!

don't believe anyone with hair resembling Mel Kiper's

Flag Up!

The spring outdoor project, besides pulling many dandelions, is complete as the mechanically DE-clined one dug himself a very deep, clay-ridden hole, stirred up some cement for the first time ever along with some pea gravel and planted the base for my first ever flag pole purchase. It's supposed to be able to withstand 70 mph winds but hope it never comes to that. Again, my first time mixing cement and think I did it correctly but check back in a month with hopefully no reports of aluminum into the front window or the leaning flag pole of Oakland County tourist attraction. That would not be fun. 

In tribute to the fish outing next month, some seadog flavor was added as Jolly Roger is smiling proudly below the stars and stripes.

Trail Head

Mud, Sweat & Beers - good karma, a great pedal and a waste of trinkets

anyone need a belt buckle?

Karma was sent my way Saturday morning at the Mud, Sweat & Beer mountain bike race. The body was not ready for the ride as April showers around the "D" left minimal time for this rider to get in riding shape to tackle the Widow-maker hill that had me walking off the bike the last two years. 

While getting the bike out of the truck Saturday, a mother and sister combo with infant in tow were in the process of hoofing their stroller more or less down the side of a ski hill where the festivities were taking place. Good Samaritan Tim to the rescue as that toddler had A-1 service in getting down the hill to safety.  I don't know what it was but my old ass back that was crying that morning was pain free for the 13 mile race and I ended up taking third in my old man age group. I even made it up the Widow-maker hill without walking the bike. Karma for a good deed done I guess. 

The back pain after, however, was another matter. I still feel it as I write this today as it is more or less Fred Sanford with the lean forward. It will subside though.

On another matter are the trinkets passed out to the riders at registration this year. In the packet was your riding plate, the customary drinking glass; up to 20 ounces this year versus the standard pint.  If anyone needs a glass, send me a line as I have way too many in my possession. The last item in the trinket packet was a first for me in my short racing career but have to think was someone in the thankless job of planning the event decided that....belt buckles would be a great item for riders to cherish for years and years. I am going to be the envy of everyone at the office Monday with that flaunted proudly from my belt. Again though, a thankless job planning such a large event and besides the belt buckle, I had a great time. 

Below is a short mix of a great day for riding, a beautiful view onto Grand Traverse Bay prior to the final descent, some helmet cam video bombs by the event volunteers, a successful climb up the Widow-maker hill along with a handful of 'Milford' shout outs as I had a Milford jersey on.

Trail Head

TimAdvisor Review

Much better than Trip*dvisor, the TimAdvisor reviews cut to the chase and leave out the back story. Back stories like "We went to a nice show in Windsor, had a great meal at La Blah Blah Blah and were looking for a nice place to stay..." Nobody cares about your show or your meal; just let us know if there are bed bugs, the shower quality and the location to the nearest beverage. 

With that, if you are in Kingsville, Ontario and are looking for a clean, funky hotel as I was Friday night, The Grove is your place. I've stayed there three times now and stayed in a different style room each time. Friday's room I guess was the Pacific Northwest mountie motif as I had a moose (paper mache) mounted on one wall and a woodsy feel throughout. As far as that nearest beverage, The  Grove has The Grove Brew House attached so there you go. 

Enjoy

Trail Head

paper mache Marty Moose

simple place

not your standard "do not disturb" signs

fancy chocolate I think (didn't partake)